Betty Russell Community Park – Concept Design Reveal & Feedback

Betty Russell Community Park – Concept Design Reveal & Feedback

Holy Smoke and Mirrors

An actual unretouched screencap from the Lake County Gazette, Lake County's #1 fakenews source:

The Arts & Entertainment section of Lake County Gazette is chock-full with notices of Mass times and other religious services. This in effect lumps together religion with other forms of entertainment, such as sports betting.

The Lake County Gazette does not ordinarily wear their heart on their sleeve like this. That is because the content you read on the Lake County Gazette is generated by Russian troll farms, and Russians prefer to wear sleeveless shirts:

Telnyashka

A spokesman for the Lake County Gazette said (translated from Russian): "Our editorial board regards this as a step in the right direction. These stories used to be published in the Business section of the newspaper."

A Fuel and its Money are Soon Parted

Question of the Day: How is a $5 coffee like $5 gasoline?

Answer: A $5 coffee will give you gas. While $5 gasoline is a cuppa Joe -- as in Joe Biden, the person responsible for the $5 gasoline:

JD Vance savagely attacks Joe Biden when asked about record gas prices

HaHa. Gas is way too expensive to spend idling your non-EV at a Lake County red light. Consider instead a Lake County roundabout, where your idle time is reduced to zero:

Lake County's affinity for roundabouts continues with three more to be built this summer
3 roundabouts in Lake County's 2026 construction program

For the record, 2 roundabouts are being built along the Wisconsin border.

A spokesman for the White House said: "If you run out of gas there, just flag yourself a lift from a border security vehicle."

Small Change

Pop Quiz! But no worries, in observance of Spring Break this one will be a stroll on the beach.

When this person became the chair of their political party, the opposing party dominated Lake County politics. The majority if not all of the County, Township, State and Federal offices were held by members of the other party. But since then, this indefatigable chair not only managed to stem the tide but completely reversed the fortunes of their moribund political party. And now that party dominates Lake County politics. One final hint, this county chair will not be seeking re-election. Can you name this person and their party?

The correct answer is, of course, Keith Brin, chair of Lake County Republican Central Committee. Brin disclosed his decision not to seek reelection to lead his party ...

on Wednesday, giving the respective precinct committeepersons time to evaluate potential replacements before their April conventions.
Lake County Democratic and Republican parties seeing changes in leadership in April

For the record, Keith Brin was a candidate for committeeperson in his precinct and lost. As a consequence, he is not be eligible to be Republican Party chair:

Note to Ops: No law says necessity can't be sold as a virtue.

The 23 Skid

It has come to your LakeCountyEye's attention that there was a Primary election. Who knew? Not your LakeCountyEye.

Who won? Not the Republican Party. The GOP vote clocked out with a scantling 23% of total Lake County ballots cast.

This may not bode well for the Lake County GOP's General election prospects. An Illinois GOP spokesman nonetheless was upbeat: "23 percent is nothing to be ashamed of. I would be overjoyed to see a 23 percent return on my crypto investments."

Their low turnout, apparently, can be attributed to 2 factors. Unlike Democrats, Republicans do not vote by mail. And the price of gas kept those voters away from the polls.

An Illinois GOP spokesman who is different than that other Illinois GOP spokesman who was let go, was upfront: "If President Trump can send ICE agents to airport security checkpoints, then he can deploy the US Postal Service as well.  US Post Offices will all be shut down during the period starting with early voting and up to the November election.  And your mailmen will be exclusively tasked with shuttling Republican voters to the polls. STOP THE STEAL!"

Bunny Bash

Bunny Bash | Gurnee Park District

Get It in Writing

Sharpen up your #2 pencils because you've got another Pop Quiz:

Q: How do you spell: ELEANOR SWEET MCDONNELL?

A: ELEANOR SWEET MCDONNELL

And you will need that #2 pencil tomorrow if you plan to vote for McDonnell. She is on the ballot as a write-in candidate:

Eleanor Sweet McDonnell and Joseph Salvi are facing off in the primary, with McDonnell highlighting her track record as North Barrington village president and previous work in politics, while Salvi frames himself as part of a new generation of Lake County Republicans. Despite McDonnell's lengthier political resume, she's running as a write-in candidate, a situation she attributed to political "shenanigans."
Lake County Board candidate alleges backroom 'shenanigans': 'It wasn't a conspiracy,' incumbent says

Why is Salvi on the ballot for County Board District 17, while McDonnell is a write-in? Some believe there was a backroom deal between Salvi and retiring incumbent Michael Danforth:

The Lake County Board seat of outgoing District 17 member Michael Danforth — a prominent Republican voice on the largely Democratic panel — has generated some election controversy, as the write-in candidate has accused her opponent of backroom deals with Danforth.
Lake County Board candidate alleges backroom 'shenanigans': 'It wasn't a conspiracy,' incumbent says

In his defense, Danforth says everything was on the up-and-up. And while Salvi's political resume may be thin gruel, in his defense Salvi can claim to be the son of the Chair of the Illinois Republican Party.

A spokesman for the Illinois GOP said: "Nothing to see here. Move along."

Nothing Succeeds Like a Successor

Pop Quiz!

This politician, who never lost an election to his legislative seat, was considered a representative-for-life. Then on the last day to submit Primary petitions he announced he would not seek reelection in 2026. And his hand-picked successor was the only name left on the ballot. Can you name this Illinois machine politician? And for bonus points, can you name the hand-picked successor?

If you named 4th District Congressman Chuy García, that was a good guess -- but you are wrong.  The correct answer is Lake County District 17 Commissioner Michael Danforth. His hand-picked successor is Joe Salvi:

Michael Danforth has represented District 17 for nine years. He filed to run for reelection but withdrew after the filing deadline, saying he wanted time for family. Salvi submitted paperwork on the last day of candidate filing and subsequently received Danforth's endorsement.
Newcomer, experienced write-in candidate square off in Lake County District 17

Lake County GOP favorite son Eleanor Sweet McDonnell is running against Salvi as a write-in candidate:

McDonnell said the timing and politics of that situation led her to run as write-in candidate.
Newcomer, experienced write-in candidate square off in Lake County District 17

One political scientist said: "Someone would have better luck on that ballot qualifying as an Independent candidate. That corner of the County is where your GOP voters are home-schooled. Winning as a write-in there will be a tough row to hoe."

Stop the Spiel

Question of the Day:

Q: What is Donald Trump's new justification for going to war against Iran?

A: Iran stole the 2020 election for Biden.

Don't laugh, there are plenty of Republicans who still believe the 2020 election was stolen. And they are all running for Congress in the 11th District:

Three of the four Republicans running for Illinois' 11th Congressional District seat have expressed doubts that Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 presidential election.
GOP congressional candidates express doubts about Biden’s 2020 White House win

One political scientist said: "Be careful what you wish for. If they do give the 2020 election to Trump, that means this would be his third term as President. The Constitution is clear on this matter: Trump would need to be removed -- by force if necessary -- from the White House."

Early Voting Begins Today for the March 17, 2026 General Primary Election

Early Voting Begins Today for the March 17, 2026 General Primary Election

Write-Off Candidates

Does Donald Trump know everything you need to know about apes and the 2026 mid-term elections? If not, then what explains the monkey-shines going on with the GOP Primary in Illinois?

A GOP candidate for the 9th Congressional District has denied ever being arrested, despite evidence to the contrary:

A Republican candidate in Illinois' 9th Congressional District was arrested and charged with felony theft in Hawaii more than 20 years ago — but the case subsequently was dismissed and the arrest was expunged, public records and legal documents show.
GOP congressional candidate's 2001 theft case was dismissed and arrest was expunged, documents show

And a GOP candidate for the 11th Congressional District created a fake video featuring an endorsement from Donald Trump:

"Let me tell you something, folks, this guy right here — he's incredible," the fake Trump said. "I've seen a lot of hardworking people in my life, believe me, but this man — he works harder than anyone. He's honest, he's loyal and he doesn't quit."
GOP candidate deletes video of fake Trump endorsement

A spokesman for the Republican National Committee said: "These outstanding candidates, and others like them, are the reason we will hold our majorities in both houses of Congress. Any talk about cancelling the mid-term elections is mere idle speculation."

Brown, Delivered

No one expected to see Tedora M Brown on their bingo card. Even fewer expected to see her on their early-voting ballot. But there she is:

An Illinois appeals court on Friday reversed lower decisions and ordered Republican congressional candidate Tedora M. Brown's name to be added to 11th District ballots. The 1st District appellate court in Chicago ordered Brown "be placed on the ballot immediately." It also ordered the Illinois State Board of Elections to "take all steps necessary" to enforce the order.
GOP candidate wins appeal and slot on 11th Congressional District ballots; DuPage halts early voting as result

Tedora Brown had been removed from the Primary ballot after it was determined that her nominating petition was one signature below the minimum required. But a sympathetic judge ordered that signer to be released from ICE detention, and Brown is now back on.

HaHa, j/k. What actually happened was, the FBI seized her petition and conducted a scientific recount.

One political scientist said: "Tedora Brown has three Primary election opponents, all male. Unless one or more of those opponents identifies as gender-female, Brown wins in a landslide."

Lake County Clerk's Office USPS Announcement

Lake County Clerk's Office USPS Announcement

You Can't Spell NATIONALIZE Without ICE

It might not be a coincidence that Cleveland Ohio has the Cavaliers to conduct a full-court press. While Rocio Cleveland courts the press with her cavalier conduct:

The Republicans running to represent Illinois' 9th Congressional District are split on President Donald Trump's recent proposal to nationalize elections. Of the four GOP candidates, only Rocio Cleveland — an ardent Trump supporter who called the president "a real solid man, a real alpha male" — backed the idea.
Most GOP candidates for 9th Congressional seat oppose Trump's suggestion to nationalize elections

Lake County GOP favorite son Rocio Cleveland wants to be your next 9th District Congressman. Not to be outdone, Donald J Trump -- arguably America's first gangster president -- says that local elections should be run by the Federal Government.

Good idea, or merely "there are no stupid ideas"? One political scientist said: "Be careful what you wish for. Let's say Rocio Cleveland is elected to the 9th Congressional District. If that election was nationalized, the Justice Department would prosecute her for election fraud, and subsequently Donald Trump is appointed to the seat."

Bridge of Size XS

Did you hear the one about the ICE agent who set up a stakeout on Robert Parker Coffin Rd? He heard that the Long Grove Bridge is where the El Caminos and Eldorados get caught.
.
HaHa, if Illinois was in Florida then another Florida man crashed into the Long Grove Bridge:

Yet another vehicle struck Long Grove's iconic covered bridge at Robert Parker Coffin Road Wednesday evening. Village officials said this is the 73rd strike since the bridge reopened in August 2020.
Long Grove's iconic covered bridge takes another smack

In related news, self-driving cars may become legal in Illinois:

A bill filed last week would authorize autonomous vehicle pilot programs in a handful of Illinois counties
Waymo-backed bill could make self-driving cars legal in Illinois in three years

Officials are confident this will significantly reduce the number of bridge crashes seen in Long Grove: "All of those self-driving Teslas on Illinois roads are going to blow up way before they get anywhere near the Long Grove Bridge."